Grieving family of Junior Seau sue NFL and helmet manufacturer over his suicide

The family of Junior Seau, the former San Diego Chargers linebacker who
committed suicide last May with a gunshot to the chest, are suing the
National Football League and a helmet manufacturer claiming he suffered
long-term brain damage caused by concussion.

Seau, one of the NFL’s leading defensive players throughout his 20 seasons, was 43 and tests on his body showed he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain injury.

His ex-wife Gina and four children have filed a lawsuit at the California Superior Court alleging that his suicide was the consequence of the condition, brought on by violent hits sustained throughout his American football career.

His son described how he experienced severe mood swings, irrationality, forgetfulness, insomnia and depression that grew worse over time.

Helmet makers Riddell Inc are also named as the family claim that the company was “negligent” in supplying “unreasonably dangerous” equipment. The NFL is accused of committing “acts or omissions” in disguising the dangers of repetitive blows to the head.

It is alleged that the league glorifies violence in gridiron, forming an impression that to deliver heavy hits is a “badge of honour that does not seriously threaten one’s health”.